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Other literature type . 2025
License: CC BY
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Project proposal . 2025
License: CC BY
Data sources: Datacite
ZENODO
Project proposal . 2025
License: CC BY
Data sources: Datacite
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Electrostatics of a Tetra-Stranded Polymer: Ionic Condensation and Nonlinear Screening

Authors: Ndenga, Barack;

Electrostatics of a Tetra-Stranded Polymer: Ionic Condensation and Nonlinear Screening

Abstract

This work develops a dedicated electrostatic framework for a canonical tetra-stranded hereditary polymer (Q-DNA), addressing the principal physical limitation of four-strand genome architectures: electrostatic repulsion between multiple negatively charged backbones. Extending nonlinear Poisson–Boltzmann theory and ion-correlation models to tetra-stranded geometries, the manuscript analyzes how electrostatic interactions scale beyond duplex DNA and identifies regimes where mean-field screening breaks down. The study highlights the central role of multivalent cations, polyamines, solvent dielectric properties, and molecular crowding in stabilizing tetra-stranded assemblies through counterion condensation, correlation-induced attraction, and effective ion bridging. It predicts distinct ionic fingerprints for tetra-stranded states and defines electrostatic stability windows in which four-strand architectures become energetically favorable relative to duplex DNA. By formalizing electrostatics as a gating constraint on tetra-stranded heredity, this contribution provides quantitative and testable criteria for evaluating Q-DNA feasibility in synthetic genetics, controlled in-vitro systems, and alternative biochemical environments relevant to origins-of-life and astrobiology research. Resource type: theoretical manuscript / electrostatic model Intended audience: molecular biophysics, theoretical biology, synthetic genetics, and polyelectrolyte physics communities

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Keywords

Q-DNA tetra-stranded DNA four-stranded genome electrostatics polyelectrolyte theory Poisson–Boltzmann model nonlinear screening counterion condensation multivalent cations magnesium ions (Mg²⁺) potassium ions (K⁺) polyamines, ion correlations DNA condensation molecular crowding solvent effects molecular biophysics theoretical biology synthetic genetics astrobiology, Q-DNA tetra-stranded DNA four-stranded genome electrostatics polyelectrolyte theory Poisson–Boltzmann model nonlinear screening counterion condensation multivalent cations magnesium ions (Mg²⁺) potassium ions (K⁺) polyamines, ion correlations DNA condensation molecular crowding solvent effects molecular biophysics theoretical biology synthetic genetics astrobiology

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selected citations
These citations are derived from selected sources.
This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Citations provided by BIP!
popularity
This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Popularity provided by BIP!
influence
This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Influence provided by BIP!
impulse
This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Impulse provided by BIP!
0
Average
Average
Average
Green